Skælskør Bymuseum

About the museum

Skælskør Bymuseum is housed in Peder Reedtz' Gård, a listed, bright red half-timbered Renaissance house dated to the late 16th century. It is named after Peder Reedtz, a fief holder at Antvorskov Castle, who owned the property around 1580. Thanks to its central location near the harbor, the house was well suited as a merchant's estate; from the upper floor you can still look out over the harbor basin today.

The museum tells how trade, shipping, and fishing shaped the small harbor town at the end of the fjord, which is about six kilometers long. In the Middle Ages, Skælskør was a ferry port to Funen, and toward the end of the 19th century the town was home to one of the largest sailing ship fleets in the country. On the first floor, a merchant's shop is furnished as it was in the early 20th century; on the second floor, ship models, sailors' souvenirs, and fishing gear show the maritime history. A copy of the Skælskør Crucifix from Limoges, found in 1996 during excavations at the Carmelite monastery, can also be seen; the original is kept by the National Museum.

The museum is now part of Museum Vestsjælland and is staffed during opening hours by volunteers from the town. Two further small buildings belong to the museum: the old Latin school at St. Nicolai Church with a school exhibition, and the weigh house of 1919 at the harbor, where horse-drawn carts were officially weighed until 1987 and which was saved from demolition thanks to the efforts of local associations.

Highlights

• Half-timbered Renaissance merchant's house, named after fief holder Peder Reedtz
• Merchant's shop in the style of the early 20th century
• Ship models and fishing gear on the history of seafaring and fishing
• Copy of the medieval Skælskør Crucifix from Limoges
• Old Latin school and 1919 weigh house as branch sites

Permanent exhibitions

• Peder Reedtz’ gård – The listed Renaissance house itself, with a merchant's shop furnished as in the early 20th century, and the story of its namesake.
• Søfart- og Fiskeriudstilling – Ship models related to Skælskør, sailors' souvenirs, as well as nets, fish traps, eel spears, and a large ice saw for fishing in the fjord.
• Skælskør-krucifikset – Replica of a crucifix made in Limoges that came to light in 1996 during excavations at the town's Carmelite monastery.

Operated by

Museum Vestsjælland

Visitors per year

approx. 5,110 (2017)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Visitors with walking difficulties can move freely on the first floor; the second floor is not accessible without stairs. No accessible toilet. Certified service dogs with visible identification are welcome.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The small, old-fashioned merchant's shop sells toys, books on local history, postcards, and handmade brushes.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit